Adjustable auxiliary switch



Aug. 21, 1962 N. A. KUSCHE ADJUSTABLE AUXILIARY swncu' Filed Oct. 5, 1959 IZTE- '7.

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United States Patent 3,05the04 ADIUSTAEILE AUXILIARY SWITCH Norman A. Kusche, Los Angeles, Caiif., assignor to I-"BE Circuit Breaker tCornpany, Ihiladeiphia, Fa, a corporation of Pennsyivania Filed Get. 5, I959, Ser. No. 844,456 6 Claims. (CI. Mitt-45S) This invention relates to an auxilary switch in which the angular position of the movable contacts may be easily adjusted without disassembling the switch and is easily dismantled and assembled.

Auxiliary switches are well known to the art and are often used in the high voltage circuit breaker field for the control of secondary circuits. One typical switch of this type is the Type L2 Auxiliary Switch manufactured by the I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company.

As the system needs of a particular installation of high voltage switching devices changes, many different arrangements of switch adjustments must be made. In some csaes, these adjustments are extremely critical and must be made often. It is, therefore, desirable that the switch can be adjusted through a 360 rotation to anticipate all possible secondary control modifications.

Auxiliary switches which are adjustable have been made in the past, but require a substantial disassembly of the switch in order to make the adjustment and in addition, to achieve adjust-ability. In addition, the switches of the past which are adjustable are normally adjustable only over a discrete angular range,

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel auxiliary switch construction having a minimum number of parts and which is easily adjustable without disassembly of the switch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel auxiliary switch which is economical and may be easily dismantled and reassembled to fit any required specification.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel adjustable auxiliary switch which requires a minimum of inventory of switch assembly components because of interchangeability between various switch assemblies and a minimum number of components for the assembly.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel auxiliary switch which is easily adjustable without disassembly after the auxiliary switch has been placed in operation.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the movable contact assembly of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 shows a side plan view of the movable contact assembly of FIGURE 1 in the assembled condition.

FIGURE 3 shows a side view of FIGURE 2 as seen from the right hand side.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the pressure washer of FIGURES 1, 2 and 3.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the pressure washer of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a front view of the movable contact ring of the assembly of FIGURES l, 2 and 3.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the manner in which the movable contact assembly of FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 is carried with respect to stationary contacts and is a front view of a complete auxiliary switch.

The essence of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary switch movable contact assembly which uses a basic locking device which will either free or lock the conductive contact segment within a respective cam member or pressure washer thereby allowing eytremely critical adjustments of the angular position of the contact ring over 360". In the case of an auxiliary switch having a plurality of ganged contact assemblies, it will be apparent that this simple locking concept will also allow extremely critical adjustment of one contact with respect to the other contacts of the assembly.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 7, a front view of a complete auxiliary switch is shown as comprising a molded housing 20 which carries a first and second semi-stationary contact 22 and 24 respectively where the stationary portion of the switch structure is constructed substantially in the manner illustrated in US. Patent No. 2,885,500, issued May 5, 1959, entitled Momentary Contact Adapter for Auxiliary Switch, in the name of David A. Wall and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Thus, semistationary contacts 22 and 24 are carried by projections 26 and 28 respectively of terminals 30 and 32 repectively. The semi-stationary contacts 22 and 24 are then biased toward one another by the biasing spring 34 and 36 respectively.

T 1e essence of the present invention lies in the construction of the movable contact assembly generally shown in FIGURE 7 by numeral 38. The movable contact asesmbly of FIGURE 7 is held in position with respect to the stationary structure in any desired manner as by appropriately supporting operating shaft 40 with respect to housing 2th Although only a single contact assembly 38 is shown in FIGURE 7, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a plurality of these assemblies ganged one behind the other may be used.

A typical movable contact assembly is shown in detail in FIGURES I through 6. Referring first to FIGURE 1, the movable contact assembly includes a contact base 42 which has a protruding threaded portion 44 and an enlarged head portion 46. A square hole 48 runs centrally through base 42 and receives shaft 40 as illustrated in FIGURE 7. The base 42 is made of any desired insulating material and it has been found that the material known as Melmac #3020 is satisfactory. To permit ease of adjustment of contact 52 with respect to base 42, calibration marks 50 are included on base 42.

The contact base 42 carries the ring shaft contact 52 having extending contacting portions 54 and 56 (which engage stationary contacts 22 and 24 respectively as shown in FIGURE 7) and the ring 52 fits over threaded extension 44 and against bearing surface 58 of contact base 42.

A view of the surface of contact ring 52 which engage bearing surface 58 is shown in FIGURE 6 which illutrates this surface as being preferably knurled with sharp protruding points approximately 0.010 inch high. As will be seen hereinafter, this knurl will frictionally lock contact ring S2 to the base 42.

A pressure washer 6%) as seen in FIGURES l, 4 and 5 is then positioned on threaded protrusion 44 and serves as both a pressure bearing for the contact and to protect all portions of the contact ring 52 against an are which could be drawn from one of the contact portions 54 and 56 to the body of the ring. Pressure ring 60 is made of an insulating material such as nylon or other similar material.

To serve its dual purpose, pressure bearing 60 is pro vided with two extending flanges 62 and 64 which define notches 66 and 68. Thus, the notches 66 and 68, as seen in FIGURE 1, will cooperate with extending contact portions 54 and 56 respectively whereby the depth of flanges 62 and 64 is almost the same as the thickness of contact link 52. Accordingly, those portions of contact link 52 not meant for contacting purposes will be shielded from an are by an insulating cover.

In order to rapidly assemble and disassemble base 42,

3 contact 52 and pressure ring 69, a locking ring 70 is made of insulating material such as Melmac #3020 is provided with an internal thread 72 which will cooperate with the thread of extension 44- of base 42. Locking ring 70 is also provided with a plurality of spaced openings such as opening 74 which will receive a tool for exerting a locking torque upon the ring.

When the components of the movable contact assembly are assembled as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the locking ring is tightened on thread 44 to exert a lateral pressure on the pressure Washer 60 and contact 52. This will cause the knurled surface of contact ring 52 shown in FIGURE 6 to firmly engage surface 58 of contact base 42 to provide a non-slip connection.

In order to adjust the angular position of shaft 48 at which contacts 54 and 56 will engage stationary contacts 22 and 24 of FIGURE 7, the switch may remain completely assembled and a wrenching tool inserted in an opening such as opening 74 of locking ring 7%? to underlock the ring. Contact ring 52 may then be easily adjusted throughout 360 to fit the electrical requirement of the circuit. Locking ring 70 is then tightened to connect locking contact ring 52 with respect to base 42 and its shaft 46- and the switch is ready for operation.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that where a plurality of contact assemblies are ganged in a common switch of the type shown in FIGURE 7 that the various movable contact elements may be easily positioned with respect to one another in the same manner as described above for the adjustment of a single contact assembly.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection with preferred embodiments thereof. Many variations and modifications of the principles of my invention Within the scope of the description herein are obvious. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. In an auxiliary switch; a movable contact assembly and a cooperating stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly having an operating shaft extending therefrom for rotating said movable contact assembly with respect to said stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly including movable contact means; said movable contact means being moved into contact engagement with respect to said stationary contact means by rotation of said operating shaft to a predetermined position; said movable contact assembly including a support means, said movable contact means, a pressure ring means and a locking means; said operating shaft being connectible to said support means; said movable contact means being positioned between said support means and said pressure ring means; said locking means being positioned adjacent said pressure ring means; said locking means being operatively connected to said support means and being operable to force said pressure ring toward a locking surface of said support means to frictionally lock said movable contact means in position with respect to said support means; said movable contact means being angularly adjustable with respect to said support means and thus said operating shaft when said locking means is unlocked; said locking means being unlockable with respect to said support means and remaining operatively connected thereto whereby the angular position of said movable contact means may be adjusted without complete disassembly of said movable contact assembly; said movable contact means having a contact engaging portion; said pressure ring means being formed of an insulation material; said pressure ring means overlapping substantially all of said movable contact means except said engaging portions to thereby contain arcs to said contacting portions of said movable contact means.

2. In an auxiliary switch; a movable contact assembly and a cooperating stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly having an operating shaft extending therefrom for rotating said movable contact assembly with respect to said stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly including movable contact means; said movable contact means being moved into contact engagement with respe t to said stationary contact means by rotation of said operating shaft to a predetermined position; said movable contact assembly including a support means, said movable contact means, a pressure ring means and a locking means; said operating shaft being connectible to said support means; said movable contact means being positioned between said support means and said pressure ring means; said locking means being positioned adjacent said pressure ring means; said locking means being operatively connected to said support means and being operable to force said pressure ring toward a locking surface of said support means to frictionally lock said movable contact means in position with respect to said support means; said movable contact means being angularly adjustable with respect to said support means and thus said operating shaft when said locking means is unlocked; said movable contact being adjustable over 360; said movable contact means having a contact engaging portion; said pressure ring means being formed of an insulation material; said pressure ring means overlapping substantially all of said movable contact means except said engaging portions to thereby contain arcs to said contacting portions of said movable contact means.

3. In an auxiliary switch; a movable contact assembly and a cooperating stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly having an operating shaft extending therefrom for rotating said movable contact assembly with respect to said stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly including movable contact means; said movable contact means being moved into contact engagement with respect to said stationary contact means by rotation of said operating shaft to a predetermined position; said movable contact assembly comprising a contact base, a pressure washer, said movable contact means and a locking ring; said operating shaft being connectible to said contact base; said movable contact means comprising a ring having an extending contacting portion; said contact base having an elongated central threaded portion extending from a friction surface; said contact ring being carried by said elongated portion and having one side thereof bearing against said friction surface; said pressure washer being carried by said elongated portion and bearing against the other side of said contact ring; said locking ring being positioned adjacent said pressure washer; said locking ring being threadedly connected to said elongated portion and being rotatably tightened against said pressure washer to drive said contact ring against said friction surface of said contact base to thereby retain said contact ring in position with respect to said contact base; said pressure washer being of insulation material; said pressure washer enclosing at least a portion of said ring and leaving said extending contact portions of said ring exposed.

4. In an auxiliary switch; a movable contact assembly and a cooperating stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly having an operating shaft extending therefrom for rotating said movable contact assembly with respect to said stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly including movable contact means; said movable contact means being moved into contact engagement with respect to said stationary contact means by rotation of said operating shaft to a predetermined position; said movable contact assembly comprising a contact base, a pressure washer, said movable contact means and a locking ring; said operating shaft being connectible to said contact base; said movable contact means comprising a ring having an extending contacting portion; said contact base having an elongated central threaded portion extending from a friction surface; said contact ring being carried by said elongated portion and having one side thereof bearing against said friction surface; said pressure washer being carried by said elongated portion and bearing against the other side of said contact ring; said locking ring being positioned adjacent said pressure washer; said locking ring being threadedly connected to said elongated portion and being rotatably tightened against said pressure washer to drive said contact ring against said friction surface of said contact base to thereby retain said contact ring in position with respect to said contact base; said pressure washer having extending flange means to cover all surfaces of said contact ring but said extending contacting portion.

5. In an auxiliary switch; a movable contact assembly and a cooperating stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly having an operating shaft extending therefrom for rotating said movable contact assembly with respect to said stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly including movable contact means; said movable contact means being moved into contact engagement with respect to said stationary contact means by rotation of said operating shaft to a predetermined position; said movable contact assembly comprising a contact base, a pressure Washer, said movable contact means and a locking ring; said operating shaft being connectible to said contact base; said movable contact means comprising a ring having an extending contacting portion; said contact base having an elongated central threaded portion extending from a friction surface; said contact ring being carried by said elongated portion and having one side thereof bearing against said friction surface; said pressure washer being carried by said elongated portion and bearing against the other side of said contact ring; said locking ring being positioned adjacent said pressure washer; said locking ring being threadedly connected to said elongated portion and being rotatably tightened against said pressure washer to drive said contact ring against said friction surface of said contact base to thereby retain said contact ring in position with respect to said contact base; said side of said contact ring bearing against said friction surface being knurled; said pressure washer being of insulation material; said pressure 4 washer enclosing at least a portion of said ring and leaving said extending contact portions of said ring exposed.

6. In an auxiliary switch; a movable contact assembly and a cooperating stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly having an operating shaft extending therefrom for rotating said movable contact assembly with respect to said stationary contact means; said movable contact assembly including movable contact means; said movable contact means being moved into contact engagement with respect to said stationary contact means by rotation of said operating shaft to a predetermined position; said movable contact assembly comprising a contact base, a pressure Washer, said movable contact means and a locking ring; said operating shaft being connectible to said contact base; said movable contact means comprising a ring having an extending contacting portion; said contact base having an elongated central threaded portion extending from a friction surface; said contact ring being carried by said elongated portion and having one side thereof bearing against said friction surface; said pressure washer being carried by said elongated portion and bearing against the other side of said contact ring; said locking ring being positioned adjacent said pressure washer; said locking ring being threadedly connected to said elongated portion and being rotatably tightened against said pressure washer to drive said contact ring against said friction surface of said contact base to thereby retain said contact ring in position with respect to said contact base; said extending contacting portion of said contact ring being angularly rotatable for 360 with respect to said contact base when said locking ring is loosened; said pressure washer being of insulation material; said pressure washer enolcsing at least a por tion of said ring and leaving said extending contact portions of said ring exposed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,715,476 Smith June 4, 1929 2,468,974 Hammer May 31, 1949 2,885,500 Wall May 5, 1959 

